Laura's Diaper

A big Thank You to Laura for your order. Your diaper is done and headed to the post office first thing tomorrow morning! If you want a diaper like Laura's, check out my Hyena Cart to build your own custom diaper.

(check out my new logo!)

Sleeping Beauties

I haven't blogged about the boys in a while and am taking the time this morning to do so. I like to open my blog every day to at least look at my blinkie "Every Day Matters", it puts me in the right frame of mind and I need to remind myself that every day with my boys is such a blessing and I am so lucky to be home with them and I don't want to take that for granted! I got a little off subject, so back to the boys.

I redid the boys' room, about a month ago I painted and Landon picked out new bedding and Ted put  up new trim and a new ceiling fan. All we have left to do in the room is to get a big shelf made and installed. These pictures are before the trim was up, right after I finished painting. We moved Ethan's crib onto the the wall with the stripes and out of our room, it is nice to have our room "back" so to speak.

If you know Ethan, you know he has been wise beyond his year in the sense that he pretty much thinks he is four and not one. Well, within the last few weeks he has started refusing the highchair. Refuse as in throws a huge tantrum, flops, flails, and throws his food on the floor if I try to put him in the highchair. I have found a way to combat this one, don't feed him until he is really hungry...he will sit anywhere is he is hungry enough (usually). Another, "I'm too big for that thing" that Ethan has decided is his crib. He refuses to sleep in it and has transitioned so easily to sleeping with his older brothers in the full bed. I took this picture the other morning while they were still sleeping. 

Every Day Matters!!

Scentsy Giveaway!

I love giveaways and I love scentsy, put them together equals double the love. Check out Dandy Giveaway for a chance to win some free scentsy!

Don't know what scentsy is? Check out my friend, Dawn's, website to learn all about the wickless candles and burners! You will not regret your scentsy purchase, and for those with kids you never have to worry about a flame or getting burns. The wax never gets hot enough to burn!

Zucchini, so.much.zucchini.

There are so many things you can make with zucchini. I use them instead of spagetti noodles, we saute them, put them in omelets, grill them, make boats out of the ones I forget to pick and then they grow huge, zucchini bread (w/ chocolate chips or raisins) is a favorite of my boys.

(posting derailed by Ethan taking his diaper off on the stairs. His diaper that was full of poop, and then sitting on the stairs with is bare butt that was full of poop. Ethan and my stairs are now clean, the diaper has seen better days but I will get to that once I finish this!)

Back to zucchini, seriously how interesting can you be while talking about zucchini, I know. BUT you don't want to miss this recipe, it is a favorite of ours and one you should try. Today I decided to make a treat out of one of our zucchinis that got a bit (okay, much more than a bit) too big. Zucchini cake! This is a cake that I don't feel guilty making, no it is not perfect and super healthy, but it does have a lot of good stuff in it and it tastes even better. On to the recipe, sorry for the long winded post, something I need to work on!

Zucchini Chocolate Snack Cake

• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (whole wheat flour will do)
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (low fat)
• 1/3 cup canola oil (I used 1/3 cup apple sauce instead)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup zucchini, shredded
• 3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips, divided

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare an 11x8 inch pan by coating with cooking spray.

Combine flour through salt. In a mixer, whisk together eggs and sugar, then add the yogurt, oil, and vanilla until well combined. Add the flour mixture to the yogurt mixture, 1/2 of it at a time. Last, fold in the zucchini and half of the chocolate chips. Poor into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until sides start to pull away from the edge and it looks slightly browned (also a knife should come out clean when inserted). Poor the remaining chocolate chips on top of the hot cake and let them melt (I put it back in the oven that is turned off for a few more minutes to get the chips to melt faster). Cool and serve. It will clump and break if cut and served while it is too hot, just ask Landon and Trevor about that.

The boys all got a piece today for afternoon snack and Landon and I had this conversation:

Landon:YUM! Mom, there's not even zucchini in it.

Me, pointing to the pieces of zucchini in his cake: Yes there is, see those green things in there? That's the zucchini.

Landon, seeming quite please: Well, you can't even taste it! Trevor, you can't even taste the zucchini!

Another Bag

I love making these, they take about a day and a half to two days depending on how much time I get...great weekend project when Ted is around!

Diaper Bag.

I have been wanting to tackle.....the bag. I finally got a pattern and made one up quick in a day. It was okay, but I changed a lot of the pattern and the directions for it were really hard for me to follow so I just winged it. Then I came across an awesome tutorial on the blog A Mingled Yarn, it's called the Hip Mama Diaper Bag. This tutorial is so well written and soooo easy to follow, easily a beginner sewer could tackle this! Here is my first attempt at the Hip Mama Diaper Bag, I know more about how it goes together and what I can improve so I know my next one will be much better! Another plus is that once everything is cut out it sews up really fast (easily within one day, even with 3 little boys running around!)....Try it out, and have fun sewing:)

Snatching 24kg for first time!

I haven't really posted much about my kettlebell adventures. I need to go back and do a few posts because a lot has happened for me with kettlebells the last several months, the biggest thing was that I became an RKC! It was the hardest weekend of my life thus far, and I would do it again in a heartbeat...AMAZING! This video was after class a few weeks ago, it actually didn't feel that hard to snatch 50 some pounds.

Very Cool Chair!

This was on babysteals.com today and I so wish I would have checked right away this morning, as it is all sold out. Uggg, I really want this! It normal costs $69.99, but babysteals was offering it for $34.99....I hope they offer it again soon!


Go & Grow Chair by Kristi G

Introducing the The Go & Grow Chair, brand new from Kristi G! Whether at soccer games, the beach, vacation, grandma’s house or in your living room - this chair can be used for years to come! It stores in a lightweight shoulder bag for easy portability and was designed with safety as a priority. Babies able to hold their heads up can start using the chair with the 3-point harness and grow into the chair all the way through school age (up to 75 lbs).

The Go & Grow chair meets and/or exceeds all safety standards set by the ASTM and CSPC. 

Consider how many times you'd like to feed your little one in the living room where the action is...this chair is the perfect solution with its with removable feeding tray and "take anywhere" portability. Brilliant!
Stage I - Sit & Relax
(3-6 months)

• Slight recline and side foam cushions stabilize head and body
• 3-point harness keeps baby safe and comfortable
• Link loop holes on arms to attach toys or pacifier
• Use with or without the tray or sun bonnet

Stage II – Stand & Play
Pre-Walkers (6-12 months)

• Seat cover is folded into the front skirt pocket to expose leg holes for standing and stretching
• 3-point harness keeps baby safe
• Safety bucket under the seat is used to keep baby’s feet clean, bug-free and safe
• Tray is great for snack time or to hold small toys
• Use with or without the tray or sun bonnet

Stage III – Big Kids
(up to 75 lbs)

• Seat cover is reattached covering leg holes
• 3-point harness is removed for older children and stores neatly in a pouch behind the back of the chair
• Safety bucket is stored neatly underneath the seat
• Use with or without the tray or sun bonnet

This anti-tip chair is designed for safety, with enclosed sides and extra-stable, angled legs. Made of rugged 600 denier nylon, for indoor/outdoor use. Supports kids up to 75 lbs. Imported. The Go & Grow chair meets and/or exceeds all safety standards set by the ASTM and CSPC.
Product Dimensions:
Open Size - 20.5 x 14 x 23.5
Folded Size - 12.5 x 10.25 x 24
Bag Size - 11 x 25 x 8

Shopping...

Grocery shopping that is! Excited, yes! Why? First, it had been at least three weeks (probably closer to four) since I had been really grocery shopping. Yes, the fridge and pantry were bare. Second, Ted and I got to do all of the shopping, two carts full, with out the boys (thanks Lois and Tom!). I stocked up on tons of fruits and veggies, meat for the week, and got some extra of everything to get ready for our vacation up north. I am going to make and freeze some meals that I can eat up there. Also putting together some yummy nut and fruit mixtures to bring. When we checked out the guy said it was the longest receipt that he has ever printed, yikes! Then we took our full car home (good thing the boys were not along because we even had bags in their car seats) and unloaded/put away everything in peace and quite. Ted went and got the boys and I stayed in the kitchen making two kinds of fresh salsa, cool cucumber salad, sliced and put into the dehydrator bananas, kiwi, mangos, and pineapples, and then made eight jars of dilly beans.

Recipes from this afternoon:

Fresh Salsa

• 2 large tomatoes - chopped
• 1/2 small red onion - chopped
• 1 small jalepeno - finely chopped
• 1 small garlic clove (optional) - minced
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients together, stir, and serve. It does get better if you chill it in the fridge for a few hours. I usually double or triple this recipe because it goes fast! Love this once our tomatoes are ripe because everything but the spices and oil is from our garden! (I had to buy tomatoes today, but the peppers and onion were from our garden and I don't add the garlic because it makes me burp)

Blueberry Salsa

• 3 cups blueberries, divided (2 cups coarsely chopped, 1 cup whole)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• 3 Tb chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 minced jalapeno peppers - minced and seeded
• 1/3 cup red bell pepper - diced
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Combine all ingredients together, stir, and serve. Yummy, blueberries are in season and so good right now!

Cool Cucumber Salad

• 8 oz penne pasta, cooked and drained
• 2 large cucumbers - thinly sliced
• 1/2 white onion - thinly sliced
• 1 Tb vegetable oil ( I used grape seed oil)
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups white vinegar
• 1 Tb dried parley flakes
• 1 Tb prepared mustard
• 1/2 cup honey (this recipe calls for sugar but I substitute honey, if you want it a bit sweeter add more honey)
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt

Mix the pasta, cucumber, onion, and oil in a large bowl. In separate bowl mix together the rest of the ingredients and stir until well combined, then pour over cucumber mixture. Chill for 3 hours and serve. This is such a great recipe to use up all of those cucumbers in your garden!

I love my BOYS!

Thank you Auny for taking such amazing pictures of my boys, we will cherish them forever! You have to check out Auny Pole Photography, she has a great website and an awesome blog. My boys had the best time and just so much fun, it was not at all like any other photo session I have had done. I actually didn't even start to sweat (moms, you know what I am talking about!). Here are a few of the pictures:

African Curry....kind of

Auny Pole just dropped off the beautiful pictures she took of the boys and mentioned that I haven't added a recipe in a while and I just made this the other night and then again today for lunch. Basically it was one of those nights where my fridge was bare and I had no idea what I was going to make so I thawed 1lb of burger. Then went out to the garden and picked a few yellow wax beans, a few green beans, and an onion. I had garlic and some carrots. Then to spice it, I took out my coriander, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg....this is what it turned into:

Brown hamburger with onion and garlic. Add chopped beans and carrots and saute until tender but still a bit crunchy. Add spices (as little or as much of each as you like, I went heavier on the coriander and lighter on the pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir it all together and let cook for a minute or two to get the spices infused.

To top it off I added chopped celery, currants, dried blueberries, dates, and sliced almonds. It turned out really good, a little sweet, a little spicy, and a little crunch all in one bite :)
This was fashioned from the recipe I have from Jen and Perry Numedahl and their African Curry.

SCD Waffles that are actually fluffy!

Yes, fluffy! At least fluffy in the SCD world, and so yummy. The almond flour gives it a wonderful nutty flavor. These are dairy, grain, and gluten free! The serving size is 6, but we doubled the recipe and it made 6 belgium style waffles with a little extra batter. Tip that I have learned while cooking/baking with almond flour is that you have to use a lower heat and cook for longer or else it burns on the outside and is still gooey on the inside. We will be making these again and again! I put honey and cinnamon on top of mine instead of syrup.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• cooking spray

Directions

• Preheat waffle iron.
• Combine almond flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, honey, and vanilla. Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Grease preheated waffle iron with cooking spray
• Spoon batter onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden; serve hot.

Shorts

I made these shorts for Ethan yesterday. Ted calls him his funky shorts, but I think they are cute. Not only cute but functional as well, because they are also a diaper cover! Ethan seems to like them:)

Work in progress

Finished (except sewing in a few seams)

A few Diapers

Two for a customer (which I wanted to keep!) and one for Ethan

One Size AI2s

Black & White Circles

Iced Girrafe

Ethan wearing Retro Owls

Time for Breakfast

Blueberry Muffins, these were a HUGE hit and we will be making these and trying different fruit/nuts!
3 cups almond flour
2 large eggs
1 stick of unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (can substitute blueberries for chopped bananas, peaches or other fruit)

Preheat oven to 300. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper cupcake liners.
In a food processor, puree the almond flour, eggs, butter, honey, baking soda, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Gently fold in the blueberries. With a big spoon, scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan. Bake for 40 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Serve warm or at room temp.

Blueberry Muffin Homemade Cereal
4 Blueberry Muffins (from above recipe)
1/2 cup raw unsalted walnuts, lightly toasted
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut, toasted
1/2 cup home-dehydrated banana chips, raspberry slices, or favorite fruit
1/4 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 200.
Crumble the muffins onto a parchment-lines cookie sheet. Toast in the oven for about 30 minutes, until crunchy. Allow to cool completely.
Mix the muffins with the nuts, coconut, fruit, and raisins. Very good sprinkled on top of homemade yogurt with honey drizzled on top.

Cinnamon Pancakes
1 cup cashews (unsalted) - I love to use pecans instead of cashews, but either way these are very tasty!
3 large eggs
2 Tb homemade yogurt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 Tb honey
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
pinch of salt
coconut oil or vegetable oil

Grind the nuts into a paste in food processor. Add the eggs, yogurt, baking soda, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt, and blend well.
Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-low (these will burn easy, so lower and slower for cooking is best). Pour the batter into small pools and cook for 2-3 minutes, until golden. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Serve hot, drizzled with honey.